No matter how colorful our life is, sometimes situations occur that unsettle us. These are some psychological problems, lack of money, just Bad mood or something different. But, of course, the most unpleasant of this long list can rightfully be considered health problems, regardless of whether it happened to us or to our loved ones. One of these most unpleasant situations is a dislocation of the arm at the elbow.
Joints
There are three types of bone connections:
- fixed suture (for example, in the skull),
- semi-mobile cartilage (this is how the vertebrae are connected,
- a movable joint that allows a person to perform a full range of different movements.
The joints connect the humerus and collarbone, making it possible to raise and lower the arm; the femur and pelvis (the so-called hip joint), thanks to which we walk and lift our legs. And this is only a part of that huge number important joints, allowing a person to do the things he likes, be it dancing or sports, sewing or another hobby.
But one of the most important joints, thanks to which we make movements with our hands, is, of course, the elbow. With its help, a person is able to bend or extend his arm at the elbow one hundred and forty degrees! Therefore, with injuries to this joint, a person’s life ceases to be complete until it is full recovery. Dislocation is a very unpleasant problem that constantly threatens him.
Structure and functions of the elbow joint
In order to figure out what to do if your elbow is dislocated, you need to understand its structure. The joint connects three bones at once. Two of them are located in the forearm area: the radius (its narrow end goes to the elbow, and its wide end to the wrist) and the ulna (on the contrary, the narrow part goes to the wrist, and the wide part goes to the elbow, hence the name). And one in the shoulder area is the humerus.
Causes
The cause of elbow dislocation is improper application of force. The effect can be direct, that is, directly on (direct injury), or indirect (indirect injury). An example of the first impact would be an accidental blow to the elbow with a hammer, and the second would be a fall onto the palm with force transferred through the forearm. Sometimes a dislocation occurs when the arm is moved suddenly.
But the latter case is very rare and, most likely, can occur in people who have a predisposition to such an injury. Examples of such prerequisites include weakness ligamentous apparatus elbow joint, flattening of the lunate notch of the ulna. In addition, people who rarely exercise have a much greater chance of getting a sprain than people who exercise.
Dislocation in children
A dislocated elbow in a child is accompanied by the same symptoms as in an adult. Only in children there is one more circumstance in which he can get injured. This situation, familiar to many first-hand, is commonly called “nanny’s elbow.” When a child walking down the street with an adult trips and starts to fall, a parent or other person accompanying him will most likely grab him by the elbow. Agree, this happens... less often in adults. But this is fraught with unpleasant consequences, so you can’t do it!
Symptoms
In general, it is unlikely that a person with a dislocation will get up (if he fell), waving his arm and, as an example, go to catch butterflies. It is quite easy to recognize an injury. But even if you make a mistake and the symptoms of a dislocated elbow are accompanied by another injury, there is no harm in seeing a doctor. Because all these signs will not indicate a completely healthy limb. Now to the symptoms of a dislocated elbow.
- Unnatural arm angle. For example, the palm is severely twisted, but there is clearly no damage to the wrist. However, here long explanations will be unnecessary, this is noticeable. The shape of the elbow itself may also be unnatural. For example, the head of the joint protrudes or the upper end of the forearm has gone higher than where it should be.
- and/or the whole hand. Loss of motor ability of the arm (or several times increasing pain when flexing, extending the elbow, moving the fingers, raising the arm, supination and pronation). The elbow joint (like any other) has a huge number of nerve endings, so the injury is unlikely to go unnoticed nervous system. Having noticed something wrong, she will quickly try to transmit a signal about the disorder to the brain, and a person who is “lucky enough to earn” a dislocated elbow will learn about this in the form of pain, most likely severe.
- In addition to pain, loss of sensitivity and numbness in the area of injury are also possible.
- Nor will they be unusual elevated temperature, chills
First aid
Let’s imagine a situation where we have a person lying in front of us who, by all indications, has a dislocated elbow. What to do? First of all, you should calm down, push aside emotions and act according to following rules(Attention, the rules are recommendations, not complete instructions).
It is forbidden! Under no circumstances should you adjust your arm yourself! This should only be done by a specialist and after careful research.
In addition, if the dislocation is accompanied by bleeding (for example, caused by open fracture accompanying dislocation), measures should also be taken to stop the bleeding. For arterial (scarlet blood, pulsating stream) - a tourniquet above the site of blood effusion and a bandage on the wound. For venous (dark blood, weakly pours out) - a tourniquet below the bleeding, also a bandage. Be sure to sign the time and date of application of the tourniquet in both cases and place it under the tourniquet itself! If there is bleeding, be sure to contact an ambulance.
In trauma
Here is a person who was injured, taken to the hospital and enters the traumatologist’s office. First of all, the doctor does visual inspection, if necessary, checks the sensitivity of the hand. After this, the sufferer is necessarily sent for an x-ray (two pictures are taken - from the side and from the front) so that the doctor can determine the type of dislocation, whether it is accompanied by any other injuries and other information important for treatment. Sometimes, during radiography, a contrast agent is injected into the joint capsule, which allows more accurate conclusions to be made about the condition of the elbow and arm as a whole.
In the photo below, a dislocated elbow (X-ray, side view) can be examined.
After the x-ray, the traumatologist decides what to do next. In the event that only dislocation is observed, the joint will most likely be reduced under local or general anesthesia(local - administration of an anesthetic, for example, novocaine, to eliminate pain in a certain area; general - putting a person to sleep for a certain time). After this, they are sent for a control x-ray, the limb (if the reduction is successful) is fixed with a plaster cast at an angle of 90 degrees and secured with a bandage across the neck.
An x-ray is also taken from a different angle. The front view can be seen in the photo below.
But in some cases surgery is required. Most often this happens if the dislocation is accompanied, for example, by an open fracture. In some operations, fixing elements are also used - titanium knitting needles and plates. After the operation, the arm is also immobilized. Next, you need to wear a cast on your arm for some time (regardless of whether there was surgery or not). Typically this time is 2-4 weeks. During this period, the joint should be overgrown with new tissue in those places where the previous one was damaged.
Recovery
Now all the torment is behind me - the plaster has been removed. But no matter how it is... After a dislocated elbow, recovery is mandatory. The fact is that even after successful healing of the injury, the limb cannot instantly regain everything motor functions. Therefore, we need to help her with this. First of all, this is, of course, exercise therapy - physiotherapy. In this case, the person performs everything necessary, gradually increasing the load. Naturally, all this is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Auxiliary procedures include massage and other physiotherapy (magnetic and laser therapy, ultrasound). The entire recovery period can be carried out while undergoing either outpatient or inpatient treatment. During inpatient treatment, the patient lies in the hospital, where he undergoes a recovery period. And if she is an outpatient, she visits her regularly.
Consequences of a dislocated elbow
After injury, other pathologies may develop. For example, osteoma - benign tumor bone tissue, inflammation of the ulnar nerve. In addition, it is not always possible to restore former mobility to joints that have suffered such an injury, especially if it happened in combination with others. It is also possible for the joint to react to a sharp change in atmospheric pressure - aching pain, weakness.
Conclusion
A dislocation is a dangerous injury. It’s better, of course, not to receive it at all, but you can’t protect yourself from everything. Therefore, it is always better to know how this happens and what to do in order not to harm, and even better, to help the person who has received this injury.
The elbow joint is a connected work of three joints:
- brachioradialis, responsible for flexion and extension radius;
- humeroulnar, responsible for flexion and extension of the forearm;
- ulnoradial, responsible for rotation of the radius and rotation of the forearm.
Traumatic dislocation of the shoulder joint
Causes of elbow dislocation
- Indirect injury, when the place of application of force is distant from the damaged joint.
- Direct injury, characterized by a blow to the joint area.
- Accidental pulling (dislocation in this case is possible only in small children under three years of age).
In connection with this classification, dislocations can be open (a blow to a bent elbow) or closed (a fall on an extended arm).
There is another classification of causes for dislocation. This:
- falling from height,
- automobile and other types of accidents,
- injuries occurring at high speed.
In the photo you can see how badly the joint is damaged.
X-ray with elbow dislocation
Symptoms of a dislocated elbow
Symptoms and manifestations of elbow dislocation in different people can be expressed in different ways.
- severe pain in the elbow,
- immobility in the joint, sharp pain move your hand if you want,
- the appearance of swelling
- lack of sensitivity, loss of pulse below the elbow,
- rupture of the joint capsule,
- during palpation you can feel the head of the radius, if the bone is felt from the front side, this is a posterior dislocation, if from the back, then vice versa,
- a sharp increase in body temperature,
- chills or fever
- numbness in the elbow area.
What should you do if such a misunderstanding happened to you and you became the victim of an accident?
In this case, first aid should be immediate to avoid complications. To do this you should:
- Apply ice or a cold compress to the damaged area.
- Check your pulse.
- Press one by one on the nail plates. Under normal conditions, they should lighten after pressing, and after a few seconds return to their usual pink color.
- Check the functioning of the nerves.
- to check the radial nerve, bend the hand at the wrist;
- to check the ulnar nerve, spread your fingers apart;
- to check the medial nerve, bring it together thumb with the little finger.
- Check skin sensitivity. To do this, you need to touch areas from the hand to the elbow.
- But we should not forget that we cannot hesitate in such cases. This can cause the consequences to linger for a very long time. Therefore, an examination by a traumatologist is necessary.
Diagnosis and treatment
After medical examination The doctor prescribes a diagnosis, which may include the following:
- Carrying out radiography. Used to exclude the possibility of fracture.
- Carrying out an arteriogram (contrast X-ray examination of the vessel) or ultrasound.
- Examination by a neurologist. Necessary to determine hand mobility.
- Pulsemetry.
Treatment of a dislocated elbow joint is a rather complex process. After diagnostic examinations, the doctor performs several procedures.
- Firstly, this is relocation, in other words, realignment. The damaged joint returns to its place. Before this process begins, a painkiller is administered to reduce painful sensations the victim.
- Reduction of the posterior dislocation is carried out using the bending and rebending method. (first the joint is stretched, and then it is flexed).
- With anterior dislocation of the elbow, the joint is bent as much as possible, and then it is sharply shifted back.
- Secondly, immobilization, in other words, fixation of the damaged joint to prevent any movement in it. This can be done by applying a tight bandage or casting.
- Thirdly, restoration of ligaments. The most complex process, which may even require surgical intervention.
- For open dislocations, splinting may be prescribed.
All of these procedures can affect further development joints and their mobility. Therefore, delay in such cases is categorically unacceptable.
How is recovery going?
After the first treatment is completed, there is a long recovery period. Rehabilitation should only occur under the close supervision of a physician. This is due to the fact that the doctor can cancel some procedures or prescribe others in time. The rehabilitation process includes:
- Therapeutic gymnastics, otherwise known as exercise therapy.
- Physiotherapy. Different kinds warming up, as well as procedures involving the impact of electric current on the affected area.
- Massage. There are different types of massage: direct, indirect, using appropriate devices. The doctor determines the most acceptable and suitable one for you.
- A proper balanced diet is a must.
- Vitamin therapy. Particular attention should be paid to the consumption of calcium and magnesium.
You will have to apply bandages the entire time you are recovering. They are:
- headscarves;
- bandage;
- tubular (using a tubular bandage).
They are necessary in order to provide sufficient rest to the damaged joint and reduce the load on it to a minimum. This is done so that during recovery the injured cartilage does not receive additional damage.
The most commonly used bandages are kerchiefs.
Headbands
Folk remedies during the rehabilitation period
When restoring joint function, we must not forget about the methods traditional medicine, which are very effective during this period.
If you want to get back on track as quickly as possible healthy people, you can apply these simple tips to make the recovery process much more successful.
- Milk compresses. Gauze is soaked in hot milk and applied to the damaged area. Milk is known for its properties fast healing, due to the presence of casein in it, which has regenerating ability.
- Onion porridge can be a good way to relieve puffiness. The onion is crushed in a blender or using a meat grinder, granulated sugar is added to the mixture. The pulp is applied to the sore spot for six hours, then the composition is changed to a new one.
- A good antiseptic is wormwood. Traditional healers recommend applying porridge made from wormwood leaves to the problem area. It is made by analogy with onion porridge.
- It is also useful to apply compresses made in the form of a tincture on bay leaves.
- A propolis compress also has a good healing effect. Propolis is infused with moonshine or vodka, then gauze soaked in this infusion is applied to the sore spot.
Development of a damaged joint
After the pain has been relieved, you need to learn how to develop your arm after a dislocation. If you do not start doing this right away, it will be impossible to restore your previous mobility in the future.
There are several exercises:
- To determine whether the hand has lost its obedience, you need to clench your hand into a fist. Now take a piece of plasticine and start kneading it. It will be quite difficult at first. The exercise must be repeated daily for a month, three times a day.
- You can try throwing a tennis ball at a wall and catching it. However, you need to be careful not to make too sudden movements with your hand.
Development of the elbow joint using the device
What to do if a child sprains his arm
Still, the problem of elbow dislocation in adults is not as dangerous as in children. After all children's body has not yet fully formed and, of course, the presence of a dislocation can lead to extensive changes in the structure of bones and joints.
Joint damage in children should never be ignored. The algorithm of treatment and rehabilitation process will be carried out by analogy with complexes of procedures for adults, but this is what should be said.
Sometimes children experience subluxation of the elbow joint. This is especially true for children aged three to four years. Typically this injury occurs when the arm is pulled. The radial head emerges from the fossa, which is accompanied by severe pain and limitation of movements in the joint.
The mechanism of subluxation is shown in the figure.
Mechanism of occurrence
First aid consists of placing the hand on a scarf to prevent excessive tension in the muscles of the joints, their mobility and to avoid negative consequences further. The child should then be taken to the hospital.
Animals can also suffer from sprains
When considering such a phenomenon as a dislocation in the elbow, we must remember our smaller brothers. Joint dislocation in dogs most often manifests itself in lameness on one or both legs.
Congenital dislocations and subluxations occur in animals due to genetic defects and abnormal joint structure. Often these are dislocations of the kneecap, elbow and hip joint. But sometimes injury occurs, as in humans, as a result of an accident.
What should you do if your beloved pet suddenly becomes lame?
- Do not try to straighten a sprain yourself. This is very painful. And if you can still explain the necessity of your actions to a person, you cannot prove this to an animal. As a result, it may simply bite you, and then you will have to be treated, not the dog.
- The animal should be immobilized before the veterinarian arrives. Place him in a cage, box, and put him on a leash.
- Under no circumstances should you crush the sore paw, tug, or shift the animal.
- It is advisable to place ice in the damaged area.
- Do not feed the dog, as anesthesia may be required.
- Take your dog to the doctor as soon as possible.
The main treatment method is reduction, followed by fixation.
If you do not set a dislocated joint within two days, the consequences can be very dire.
The joint will gradually deteriorate, and the voids at the site of the former joint will be filled with blood clots. After a week, it will no longer be possible to do a regular reduction; only surgery will be required.
The most common procedure is arthrodesis - the bones that form the joint are crossed. In extreme cases, it is necessary to resect, in other words, remove the joint. If your pet is injured, do not waste time, take him to the hospital.
Prevention of dislocation in people is caution and caution. Take care of your joints, take care of them, and then you won’t have to see a doctor and experience discomfort.
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The elbow is extended at an angle of about 140°, and the joint area is expanded from front to back. The olecranon process (olecranon) stands sharply posteriorly; above it there is a groove with tension in the triceps muscle; When pressing with a finger on the groove, the finger goes deep, but does not probe the bones of the shoulder. The head of the beam is often even visible to the eye and can be easily felt under the skin during rotational movements of the forearm, posterior to the projection humerus. The smooth articular surface of the block is often easily palpable from the front. The relationship between the classic points on the elbow on the dorsal and palmar sides is disrupted compared to the healthy side: instead of an isosceles triangle (at an angle of 140°), 3 points lie almost in one straight line, and, depending on the height of the olecranon (olecranoni) , its apex can even stand above the line connecting the condyles. At the same time, the distance of the latter to the top is increased. Spring resistance remains even in anesthesia, because the obstacle to flexion is the coronoid process, which rests on the posterior fossa above the trochlea and forms a fulcrum for the double-armed lever, the upper end of which pulls the triceps muscle.
Reduction of a dislocated elbow (elbow joint) is based on the principle of hyperextension in the form of release of the coronoid process. Resting his elbow on his knee, the surgeon extends the damaged limb, stretches it in length and then bends the elbow. Posterior dislocations of the elbow (elbow joint) sometimes allow for successful reduction even after quite a long period of time (several months).
Lateral dislocations of the elbow (elbow joint) usually represent a variation of the posterior one in terms of the underlying mechanism. If, when falling on an outstretched arm, the end part of the forearm deviates to the lateral or medial side, then its upper end is dislocated posteriorly and inwardly or posteriorly and outwardly; the first happens more often due to normal valgus of the elbow joint. These dislocations, more complex in clinical manifestations, cause displacement and incorrect relationship of recognition points, accompanied by rupture of ligaments and separation of bone protrusions. Accurate recognition of them at first is made difficult by the extensive hemorrhage that envelops the site of injury. X-rays are especially useful here. Reduction comes from the main hyperextension and lateral pressure on the displaced protrusions on one side or the other.
The procedure for reducing a dislocated elbow (elbow joint) is performed under intravenous anesthesia.
Anterior elbow dislocation
A rare anterior dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint) usually occurs when you fall on your elbow while bending it excessively. A distinction is made between incomplete dislocation, when the olecranon stands against the block of the humerus, and complete dislocation, when it stands in front of the block of the humerus. This often results in a fracture of the olecranon process. Reducing them in the presence of a large tear of the capsule does not present any particular difficulties when traction is applied with pressure from front to back on the bent forearm.
Diverging dislocation (lux. cubiti divergent), resulting in the elbow (elbow joint) with significant forces due to the wedge-shaped insertion of the humerus between the bones of the forearm after rupture of the interosseous and annular ligaments, is very rare. Reduction due to large tears in the bursa is easy. In difficult cases, each forearm bone requires separate reduction: extension and traction for the ulna, direct pressure with rotation for the radius.
Isolated or separate dislocation posterior elbow (elbow joint) occurs from a fall on an excessively extended and abducted forearm. Determined by almost the same clinical signs that both bones are dislocated posteriorly. But, due to the upward displacement of the medial bone while the lateral one remains in place, the arm forms a medial shortening and an angle open medially (cubitus varus). Rotation of the forearm inward (pronation) and outward (supination) is possible.
A dislocation of the ulna is reduced posteriorly by traction of the outwardly turned (supinated) forearm with simultaneous straightening of the lateral angle and extension of the elbow. All three recent elbow (elbow) dislocations are very rare. Precise definition they are facilitated by fluoroscopy. Of isolated dislocations of the elbow (elbow joint), much higher value has a separate dislocation of the beam head, which occurs from a direct blow from back to front or from the outside. But it can also occur with indirect force - due to strong pronation of the forearm (twisting of the arm), and the annular ligament is torn. Most often, the radius is dislocated forward and outward, when its head lies on top of the external condyle of the humerus. Clinically, the forearm stands in a position of flexion and pronation and forms an angle with the shoulder, open outward - cubitus valgus. The head is palpated in the elbow bend - in front of or above the external condyle of the shoulder - and is recognized by its shape and rotation during pronation and supination. The posterior recognition points of the elbow are not displaced. This dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint) is often preceded by a fracture upper third ulna. Reduction of the elbow is usually easily achieved by extension, external rotation (supination), and pulling on the forearm and direct pressure on the head. But with the same ease the head pops up again when moving. The torn parts of the bursa and annular ligament prevent it from being firmly held in place. Holding the head in place is best achieved by a fixation bandage while rotating inward (pronating) and flexing the forearm at a very acute angle at the elbow. In case of irreducible dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint), the obstacle must be removed promptly - sometimes even by resection of the head.
Elbow dislocation- This is an injury to the elbow resulting in hyperextension of the elbow. Articular surface the forearm is displaced relative to the humerus.
The formation of this phenomenon is directly related to the pressure of one’s own body weight on the arm, for example, during a fall.
The elbow joint is united by three joints, the humerus, ulna and radius.
The bones are connected by special connective ligaments that provide mobility to the arm, and external intervention leads to their complex dislocation.
Dislocations of the elbow joint are divided into anterior, posterior and lateral in the direction of the bend. The most common occurrence was posterior dislocation, less often lateral, and isolated anterior dislocation is considered the rarest injury of the elbow joint.
The bend of the joint is directly related to sharp pressure own weight when falling backwards or forwards on an outstretched arm. Anterior dislocation occurs when falling on a bent elbow, but this happens extremely rarely.
Not only your own weight can cause a dislocation, it can also be swipe by joint.
Dislocation of the elbow joint, like any severe injury immediately manifests itself with a number of symptoms:
- Severe pain in the elbow area, and with a severe bruise pain syndrome spread over the entire arm
- Pain when moving
- Swelling and redness, even if soft tissue is not affected
- Numbness in the hands or tingling in the affected limb
- Deformation and change in joint shape
- Unnatural bend of the arm
These are signs that are visible to the naked eye, but for an accurate picture, a detailed examination must reveal the presence of a rupture of the joint capsule, palpate the joint, and determine the position of the head of the joint. With dislocation, the pulsation of the radial artery also slows down, this may indicate that it is pinched.
Damage to soft tissues manifests itself with the same symptoms, but the pain goes away after a few days, and with a dislocation without fixation of the joint, the pain does not go away at all.
Causes
There are few reasons and they are all directly related to strong environmental influences.
Joints are very strong areas and only strong action can lead to dislocation and injury.
The main factors for elbow dislocation include:
- Elbow injury
- Damage of an indirect nature, the localization of which is far from the site of the damaged joint
- Arm extensions, only for children under three years of age
Mostly in adults, elbow joint injury is associated with a fall from a height, car accident or impacts at high speed.
Kinds
The cause of the injury, the displacement of the bone, as well as a number of other factors make it possible to divide dislocations of the elbow joint into several types.
The classification of dislocation is divided into types according to bone displacement:
1) Posterior - the joint is shifted back. Such an injury is possible when falling on an outstretched arm or bending it too hard.
2) Anterior - the displacement occurs forward. This happens when you hit or fall on a bent arm.
3) Lateral - the bone and adjacent joint are rotated to the side. So, it happens when you fall, it’s not easy with your outstretched arm, but also with your arm moved to the side.
4) Fracture-dislocations - dislocation of the joint occurs with an extensive fracture of the radius.
In addition, a dislocation can be not only acquired through external influence, but also congenital. Pathologies intrauterine development are extremely rare. Based on the complexity and associated injuries, they are divided into traumatic and non-traumatic.
Traumatic dislocations accompany violations of the integrity of soft tissues and tendons, damage to nerve endings and blood vessels.
According to the time elapsed since the injury, dislocations are divided into fresh, stale and old.
Also, in addition to primary dislocations, pathologically chronic dislocations are considered after several injuries of one location.
The main division of types of dislocation is considered to be injuries based on the nature of the damage.
Posterior elbow dislocation— the bend of the elbow joint occurs at 140 degrees, which limits mobility in any movements. Pain from such an injury is felt with any touch. When palpating the damaged area, the head of the radial bone is clearly felt, which in most cases is visible even during visual inspection.
Habitual dislocation of the elbow joint- This injury is characterized by persistence. Weakened ligaments and connective tissue cannot withstand the stress, and dislocation recurs regularly. This pathology is observed extremely rarely.
Except, birth defect Post-traumatic changes in the joint and periarticular tissue lead to habitual dislocation. Recovery can only be achieved by strengthening the bone and eliminating the root cause of fragility.
Old dislocation of the elbow joint— an injury received 2 or more weeks before contacting a specialist is considered to be old. Such a dislocation is reduced under anesthesia, and, unfortunately, it is fraught with serious consequences for the body and future mobility of the arm.
Open dislocation of the elbow joint- open dislocation is caused by blows to a bent elbow, which causes damage to soft tissues with exposure of the head of the bone. This type of dislocation can only be treated surgically.
How is elbow dislocation treated?
The main methods of treatment include conservative therapy and surgery. The principle of treatment depends on the symptoms and individual characteristics body.
A gentle method is to reduce the elbow joint under local or general anesthesia.
At surgical treatment having access to vessels, ligaments and soft tissues They not only straighten a dislocated joint, but also eliminate damage to the periarticular tissues.
For quality treatment and a favorable recovery process, a patient with a dislocated joint is shown a complex of therapeutic actions, regardless of the method of treatment.
First of all, the damaged joint is set into place, and the arm is fixed with a plaster splint.
The immobilized hand should be at rest for about 10 days. This is exactly what is needed for the natural regeneration of bone tissue and connective ligaments.
After the fixation is removed, long-term rehabilitation is required to restore mobility and full functionality of the arm. Even with the fixation splint, simple movements of the fingers of the affected hand are allowed so as not to disturb blood circulation and to prevent necrosis of soft tissues.
During rehabilitation, in addition to a set of exercises to develop the limb, various physiotherapeutic procedures are recommended:
- Massage
- Ultrasound
- Magnetotherapy
- Laser treatments
It is important to know that massage in the affected area is highly undesirable. In this case, a massage of the hand and shoulder will be effective.
Just like most injuries, a sprain should not be heated. Heat can cause complications or aggravate the condition of the soft tissues surrounding the joint.
In the first hours after injury, cold is indicated; it will reduce inflammation and relieve pain. But you should also be careful with cold and do not apply a cold compressor for more than 30–40 minutes.
There is no drug treatment for dislocation as such, only auxiliary drugs to strengthen the body, vitamin complexes and calcium supplements to strengthen bones.
In the first three days after injury, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are allowed.
Often, a dislocated elbow joint is treated traditional methods. After reduction there is a long recovery period, A folk remedies indispensable during this period.
Popular and effective auxiliary methods include compresses with herbs and familiar products:
1. Onion gruel. Chopped onions are mixed with granulated sugar and applied to the damaged area for 5-6 hours. This remedy can relieve severe inflammation and extensive swelling within a day.
2. Wormwood grass. The pulp of the medicinal plant is applied to the damaged area to relieve pain and inflammation.
3. Milk compress. Although hot milk does not relieve swelling, it does help regeneration connective tissue and promotes rapid healing.
4. Infusions. Tinctures on laurel leaves and propolis in alcohol help restore damaged ligaments. Soak the bandages in the liquid and, without tightening, wrap the elbow.
Rehabilitation after elbow dislocation
The rehabilitation period is considered the most difficult and important stage in the healing of the elbow joint.
Recovery must be monitored by a specialist in order to promptly prescribe additional procedures or cancel ineffective methods that may have the opposite effect.
To restore a damaged elbow, the following are widely used:
- Massage - this can be manual, indirect and direct massage using additional devices.
- Therapeutic exercise includes a general strengthening program and methods for restoring mobility after a dislocated joint.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures - magnetic and laser therapy, ultrasound sessions. All this helps speed up healing and rapid regeneration.
- Proper nutrition - in case of dislocation, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and microelements is recommended.
- Calcium - calcium and magnesium preparations, as well as foods rich in this element, are recommended to strengthen bones and connective tissue.
- Preventive dressings - after removing the plaster splint, leaving the arm unfixed is dangerous.
In addition, the healing joint needs rest.
Using an elastic bandage or a scarf bandage can reduce unnecessary stress on the injured elbow. The bandage should only be removed when sleeping.
Consequences of a dislocated elbow
You can avoid the consequences and complications after a dislocation of the elbow joint if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and correctly provide first aid.
A favorable outcome of the injury is possible in the absence of damage to nerves and blood vessels. Minor soft tissue damage will not prevent a full recovery.
There is a risk of impaired joint mobility if the prescribed regimen is not followed or there is no proper rehabilitation period. There is also a risk of developing osteoarthritis, in which the damaged joint wears out faster than natural aging.
With proper rehabilitation, the person will soon return to his usual lifestyle; this will not affect his performance, and the arm will regain its previous strength.
